Stokes Takes Six Scalps in English Test Series Warm-up

Tour match, Perth venue (first day of three)

Development squad 382: Jacks 84, McKinney 67; Ben Stokes 6-52

National team: awaiting batting

Ben Stokes produced 6 scalps in his return to play following July but England encountered an fitness worry involving fast bowler Wood on the first day of their Ashes warm-up versus the development squad in Western Australia.

Stokes, making his comeback after approximately four months away with a shoulder problem, delivered 16 overs across three spells for his 6-52 versus the Lions – all to catches on the on-side.

Fast bowler Wood, himself returning after nine months away with a knee injury, delivered a scheduled amount of 8 overs before leaving the field in the afternoon session because of a hamstring problem. He will undergo scanning on Friday.

Wood's injury removed the energy out of the day, as the England Lions were bowled out for three hundred eighty-two on a slow, low surface after an uncontested toss at the venue.

The tourists wanted to bowl first to build bowling fitness before the initial Test match at the main venue, starting on 21 November.

In a potential indication towards their opening Test strategy, the visiting team selected an all-pace attack – four specialists plus the captain – and left off-spinner Shoaib Bashir in the development squad.

Jacob Bethell didn't strengthen his claim for inclusion in the Test side, making just two runs, but Will Jacks enhanced his credentials to be called upon during the series by scoring eighty-four.

McKinney, Jordan Cox, teenage Rew and Potts also scored fifties.

England's decision to play a single warm-up game against the development squad has been criticized by some former players but the captain responded by labeling the critics "has-beens".

A low-pressure opening day in front of a smattering of spectators at Lilac Hill was definitely a different experience from what England will face at a packed Optus Stadium the following week.

The captain was superb in the contest against India in the home summer, only to push himself to breaking point. He missed the final Test with a torn shoulder.

The skipper has not managed a full part in any of England's past four tours because of various injuries and the tourists' chances of regaining the Ashes are significantly reduced if he is absent from any of the five Tests in the host country.

He has been practicing at maximum speed for 60 days and appeared in good condition on the match day, even if he could not comprehend the way in which some of his wickets were presented.

Will Jacks is not expected to play in the first Test – England look to have revealed their intentions with the XI named here. Still, he may have nudged himself in front of the struggling Bethell with his eighty-four, which came at nearly run-a-ball pace.

Prior to the concern over Wood, the five fast bowlers in the team lineup for this match may not have been the bowling unit for the first Test.

Brydon Carse missed the first day because of illness, with his place going to Josh Tongue. Tongue had Lions opener McKinney caught behind just after lunch.

Although the captain took the wickets, Jofra Archer impressed observers. He was lively with the fresh ball and again after the interval, when he discomforted Will Jacks.

In the omission of Shoaib Bashir and with Wood departing, Root was required to bowl fourteen overs of his off-spin. It was mediocre fare, costing 117 at an run rate of more than eight.

Root at least claimed a wicket in the closing stages when Matt Fisher somehow hit a full toss to mid-on before Archer dismissed with a bouncer Potts for 53 with the final ball of the day.